The first generation of dGe lugs evangelists in Amdo. The case of ’Dan ma Tshul khrims rgya mtsho (1578-1663/65)

This article studies and contextualizes a recently discovered biography of one of the earliest dGe lugs evangelists in Amdo, ’Dan ma Tshul khrims rgya mtsho (1578-1663/65). The life of ’Dan ma exemplifies important aspects of the dGe lugs school during its period of contest with other Buddhist schools (particularly the Karma bKa’ brgyud school) and before the establishment of the Dalai Lama’s dGa’ ldan pho brang government. In particular, it reflects a tendency among dGe lugs pas of this period toward ecumenism, retreat, and tantra, which stands in contrast to the mature dGe lugs school of large-scale institutions, discipline, and philosophy. It also demonstrates the importance of dGe lugs lamas other than the Fifth Dalai Lama (born only in 1617) for the spread of the dGe lugs school in Amdo and beyond.